U.S. patent application number 13/437546 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for electrical interconnect device.
This patent application is currently assigned to TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Wayne Alden, III, Jeffery W. Mason. Invention is credited to Wayne Alden, III, Jeffery W. Mason.
Application Number | 20130260578 13/437546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49235597 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130260578 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mason; Jeffery W. ; et
al. |
October 3, 2013 |
ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECT DEVICE
Abstract
An interconnect device for electrically connecting first and
second electrical components together along a connection axis
includes a contact assembly having an insulative carrier and
electrical contacts held by the insulative carrier. The electrical
contacts include mounting segments and mating segments. The mating
segments are configured to be compressed along the connection axis.
A frame includes a central opening and at least one perimeter
segment that defines a boundary of the central opening. The contact
assembly is held within the central opening. The frame includes a
compression stop having a stop surface that is configured to engage
the second electrical component to limit an amount of compression
of the mating segments along the connection axis. The stop surface
is aligned with a mating side surface of the perimeter segment.
Inventors: |
Mason; Jeffery W.; (North
Attleboro, MA) ; Alden, III; Wayne; (Whitman,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mason; Jeffery W.
Alden, III; Wayne |
North Attleboro
Whitman |
MA
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TYCO ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION
Berwyn
PA
|
Family ID: |
49235597 |
Appl. No.: |
13/437546 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/66 ;
439/626 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 12/73 20130101;
H01R 13/2414 20130101; H01R 12/714 20130101; H01R 13/516
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/66 ;
439/626 |
International
Class: |
H01R 12/71 20110101
H01R012/71; H01R 24/00 20110101 H01R024/00 |
Claims
1. An interconnect device for electrically connecting first and
second electrical components together along a connection axis, said
interconnect comprising: a contact assembly having an insulative
carrier and electrical contacts held by the insulative carrier, the
insulative carrier comprising opposite mating and mounting sides,
the electrical contacts comprising mounting segments that extend
along the mounting side of the insulative carrier for mounting to
the first electrical component, the electrical contacts comprising
mating segments that extend along the mating side of the insulative
carrier for mating with the second electrical component, the mating
segments being configured to be compressed along the connection
axis; and a frame that is configured to be mounted to the first
electrical component, the frame comprising a central opening and at
least one perimeter segment that defines a boundary of the central
opening, the contact assembly being held within the central
opening, the at least one perimeter segment comprising a mounting
side surface that is configured to face the first electrical
component and a mating side surface that is opposite the mounting
side surface, the frame comprising a compression stop having a stop
surface that is configured to engage the second electrical
component to limit an amount of compression of the mating segments
along the connection axis, wherein the stop surface is aligned with
the mating side surface of the perimeter segment.
2. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter
segment of the frame comprises the compression stop and the mating
side surface of the perimeter segment comprises the stop surface of
the compression stop.
3. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein the compression stop
is a mating side stop, the mounting segments of the electrical
contacts being configured to be compressed along the connection
axis, the frame comprising a mounting side stop that is configured
to engage the first electrical component to limit an amount of
compression of the mounting segments along the connection axis.
4. The interconnect of device claim 1, wherein the frame comprises
a tab that extends from the perimeter segment into the central
opening and over an edge segment of the mating side of the
insulative carrier, the tab comprising the compression stop.
5. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein the stop surface of
the compression stop is configured to engage a flange of the second
electrical component to limit the amount of compression of the
mating segments.
6. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises
upper and lower tabs that extend from the perimeter segment into
the central opening, the upper and lower tabs extending over the
mating and mounting sides, respectively, of the insulative carrier
such that the insulative carrier is held by the frame between the
upper and lower tabs with a snap-fit connection.
7. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
electrical contacts extends through the insulative carrier and
includes a corresponding one of the mating segments and a
corresponding one of the mounting segments.
8. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
mounting segments is a discrete electrical contact from the
corresponding mating segment that is electrically connected to the
corresponding mating segment through at least one intervening
electrically conductive structure.
9. The interconnect device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first electrical component or the second electrical component
comprises a circuit board.
10. An interconnect device for electrically connecting first and
second electrical components together along a connection axis, said
interconnect comprising: a contact assembly having an insulative
carrier and electrical contacts held by the insulative carrier, the
insulative carrier comprising opposite mating and mounting sides,
the electrical contacts comprising mounting segments that extend
along the mounting side of the insulative carrier for mounting to
the first electrical component, the electrical contacts comprising
mating segments that extend along the mating side of the insulative
carrier for mating with the second electrical component; and a
frame that is configured to be mounted to the first electrical
component, the frame comprising a central opening and a perimeter
segment that defines a boundary of the central opening, the frame
comprising upper and lower tabs that extend from the perimeter
segment into the central opening, the upper tab being spaced apart
from the lower tab along the connection axis, at least one of the
upper tab and the lower tab being resiliently deflectable, wherein
the contact assembly is held by the frame within the central
opening such that an edge segment of the insulative carrier is
captured between the upper and lower tabs with a snap-fit
connection.
11. The interconnect device of claim 10, wherein the perimeter
segment comprises at least two perimeter segments, the upper tab
comprises at least two upper tabs, and the lower tab comprises at
least two lower tabs, each perimeter segment comprising at least
one corresponding pair of upper and lower tabs.
12. The interconnect of device claim 10, wherein at least one of
the electrical contacts extends through the insulative carrier and
includes a corresponding one of the mating segments and a
corresponding one of the mounting segments.
13. The interconnect device of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the mounting segments is a discrete electrical contact from the
corresponding mating segment that is electrically connected to the
corresponding mating segment through at least one intervening
electrically conductive structure.
14. The interconnect device of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the first electrical component or the second electrical component
comprises a circuit board.
15. An interconnect device for electrically connecting first and
second electrical components together along a connection axis, said
interconnect comprising: a contact assembly having an insulative
carrier and electrical contacts held by the insulative carrier, the
insulative carrier comprising opposite mating and mounting sides,
the electrical contacts comprising mounting segments that extend
along the mounting side of the insulative carrier for mounting to
the first electrical component, the electrical contacts comprising
mating segments that extend along the mating side of the insulative
carrier for mating with the second electrical component, the mating
segments being configured to be compressed along the connection
axis; and a frame that is configured to be mounted to the first
electrical component, the frame comprising a central opening and at
least one perimeter segment that defines a boundary of the central
opening, the contact assembly being held within the central
opening, the frame comprising a tab that extends from the perimeter
segment into the central opening and over an edge segment of the
mating side of the insulative carrier, the tab comprising a
compression stop having a stop surface that is configured to engage
the second electrical component to limit an amount of compression
of the mating segments along the connection axis.
16. The interconnect device of claim 15, wherein the frame
comprises a lower tab that extends from the perimeter segment into
the central opening, the upper tab being spaced apart from the
lower tab along the connection axis, at least one of the upper tab
and the lower tab being resiliently deflectable, wherein the
contact assembly is held by the frame within the central opening
such that an edge segment of the insulative carrier is captured
between the upper and lower tabs with a snap-fit connection.
17. The interconnect device of claim 15, wherein the perimeter
segment comprising a mounting side surface that is configured to
face the first electrical component and a mating side surface that
is opposite the mounting side surface, the stop surface of the
compression stop being aligned with the mating side surface of the
perimeter segment.
18. The interconnect device of claim 15, wherein the compression
stop is a mating side stop, the frame comprising a lower tab that
extends from the perimeter segment into the central opening, the
upper tab being spaced apart from the lower tab along the
connection axis, the contact assembly being held by the frame
within the central opening such that an edge segment of the
insulative carrier is captured between the upper and lower tabs,
the mounting segments of the electrical contacts being configured
to be compressed along the connection axis, the lower tab
comprising a mounting side stop that is configured to engage the
first electrical component to limit an amount of compression of the
mounting segments along the connection axis.
19. The interconnect of device claim 15, wherein at least one of
the electrical contacts extends through the insulative carrier and
includes a corresponding one of the mating segments and a
corresponding one of the mounting segments.
20. The interconnect device of claim 15, wherein at least one of
the mounting segments is a discrete electrical contact from the
corresponding mating segment that is electrically connected to the
corresponding mating segment through at least one intervening
electrically conductive structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein
relates generally to electrical interconnect devices for use
between opposed arrays of contacts.
[0002] Interconnect devices are used to provide electrical
connection between two or more opposing arrays of contacts for
establishing at least one electrical circuit, where the respective
arrays may be provided on a device, printed circuit board, Pin Grid
Array (PGA), Land Grid Array (LGA), Ball Grid Array (BGA), and the
like. In one interconnect technique, the electrical connection is
provided by an interconnect device that is physically interposed
between corresponding electrical contacts of the opposing arrays of
contacts. At least some known interconnect devices use an array of
elastomeric columns supported on a substrate. The elastomeric
columns may be compressed to establish reliable contact between the
opposing contacts. In some known interconnect devices, the
elastomeric columns are conductive and provide the electrical
connection.
[0003] In known interconnect devices using conductive elastomeric
columns, the elastomeric columns are held by an insulative carrier
having coverlays provided on both sides of the insulative carrier.
The coverlays protect the elastomeric columns and provide
mechanical stops for interfacing with the two electrical components
connected by the interconnect device. For example, the coverlays
may protect the elastomeric columns from mechanical and/or
electrical failure resulting from over-compression of the
elastomeric columns. But, the coverlays are extra layers of the
interconnect device that add to the cost and complexity of the
interconnect device.
[0004] A need remains for a less costly and/or complex electrical
interconnect device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one embodiment, an interconnect device is provided for
electrically connecting first and second electrical components
together along a connection axis. The interconnect device includes
a contact assembly having an insulative carrier and electrical
contacts held by the insulative carrier. The insulative carrier
includes opposite mating and mounting sides. The electrical
contacts include mounting segments that extend along the mounting
side of the insulative carrier for mounting to the first electrical
component. The electrical contacts include mating segments that
extend along the mating side of the insulative carrier for mating
with the second electrical component. The mating segments are
configured to be compressed along the connection axis. A frame is
configured to be mounted to the first electrical component. The
frame includes a central opening and at least one perimeter segment
that defines a boundary of the central opening. The contact
assembly is held within the central opening. The at least one
perimeter segment includes a mounting side surface that is
configured to face the first electrical component and a mating side
surface that is opposite the mounting side surface. The frame
includes a compression stop having a stop surface that is
configured to engage the second electrical component to limit an
amount of compression of the mating segments along the connection
axis. The stop surface is aligned with the mating side surface of
the perimeter segment.
[0006] In another embodiment, an interconnect device is provided
for electrically connecting first and second electrical components
together along a connection axis. The interconnect device includes
a contact assembly having an insulative carrier and electrical
contacts held by the insulative carrier. The insulative carrier
includes opposite mating and mounting sides. The electrical
contacts include mounting segments that extend along the mounting
side of the insulative carrier for mounting to the first electrical
component. The electrical contacts include mating segments that
extend along the mating side of the insulative carrier for mating
with the second electrical component. A frame is configured to be
mounted to the first electrical component. The frame includes a
central opening and a perimeter segment that defines a boundary of
the central opening. The frame includes upper and lower tabs that
extend from the perimeter segment into the central opening. The
upper tab is spaced apart from the lower tab along the connection
axis. At least one of the upper tab and the lower tab is
resiliently deflectable. The contact assembly is held by the frame
within the central opening such that an edge segment of the
insulative carrier is captured between the upper and lower tabs
with a snap-fit connection.
[0007] In another embodiment, an interconnect device for
electrically connecting first and second electrical components
together along a connection axis. The interconnect device includes
a contact assembly having an insulative carrier and electrical
contacts held by the insulative carrier. The insulative carrier
includes opposite mating and mounting sides. The electrical
contacts include mounting segments that extend along the mounting
side of the insulative carrier for mounting to the first electrical
component. The electrical contacts include mating segments that
extend along the mating side of the insulative carrier for mating
with the second electrical component. The mating segments are
configured to be compressed along the connection axis. A frame is
configured to be mounted to the first electrical component. The
frame includes a central opening and at least one perimeter segment
that defines a boundary of the central opening. The contact
assembly is held within the central opening. The frame includes a
tab that extends from the perimeter segment into the central
opening and over an edge segment of the mating side of the
insulative carrier. The tab includes a compression stop having a
stop surface that is configured to engage the second electrical
component to limit an amount of compression of the mating segments
along the connection axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
exemplary embodiment of an electrical interconnect system.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
of a contact assembly of the electrical interconnect system shown
in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of a frame of the electrical interconnect system shown in FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of an interconnect device illustrating the contact assembly shown
in FIG. 2 held by the frame shown in FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical
interconnect system shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
embodiment of an electrical interconnect system.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary
embodiment of an electrical interconnect system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
exemplary embodiment of an electrical interconnect system 10. The
system 10 includes an electrical component 12, an electrical
component 14, and an interconnect device 16 therebetween. The
interconnect device 16 is illustrated mounted to the electrical
component 14. The electrical component 12 is illustrated poised for
mating with the interconnect device 16. The electrical components
12 and 14 both have an array of contacts, such as land grid arrays,
ball grid arrays, and/or the like that are electrically connected
together by the interconnect device 16. Each of the electrical
components 12 and 14 may be referred to herein as a "first" and/or
a "second" electrical component.
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical component 12
is a flex circuit and the electrical component 14 is a circuit
board. But, the electrical components 12 and 14 are each not
limited thereto. Rather, each of the electrical components 12 and
14 may be any type of electrical component, such as, but not
limited to, an electronic package (such as, but not limited to, a
chip, a processor, an integrated circuit, and/or the like), a
circuit board, a flex circuit, and/or the like. In some
embodiments, the electrical components 12 and 14 are both circuit
boards.
[0017] The interconnect device 16 includes a contact assembly 18
that is used to electrically connect the electrical components 12
and 14 along a connection axis 20. For example, the contact
assembly 18 is configured to engage the arrays of contacts of the
electrical components 12 and 14. The contact assembly 18 has a
mating side 22 and an opposite mounting side 24. The interconnect
device 16 is configured to be electrically connected to the
electrical component 12 along the mating side 22. The interconnect
device 16 is configured to be electrically connected to the
electrical component 14 along the mounting side 24.
[0018] The interconnect device 16 includes a frame 26 having a
plurality of perimeter segments 42 that define a central opening
30. The frame 26 is configured to be mounted to the electrical
component 14, such as, but not limited to, using latches,
fasteners, threaded fasteners, and/or the like. The contact
assembly 18 is held within the central opening 30 of the frame 26
such that the contact assembly 18 interconnects the electrical
components 12 and 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact
assembly 18 is removable from the frame 26 such that the contact
assembly 18 may be removed and replaced while leaving the frame 26
attached to the electrical component 14.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the contact assembly
18. The contact assembly 18 includes an insulative carrier 32
holding an array of elastomeric columns 34. The insulative carrier
32 may have one or more layers. The insulative carrier 32 extends
between the mating side 22 and the mounting side 24. The insulative
carrier 32 is fabricated from an insulative material, such as, but
not limited to, a polyimide material that may be arranged as a
polyimide film (e.g., a Kapton.RTM. material). Optionally, one or
more outer layers, such as a coverlay (not shown) and a bonding
layer (not shown) may be applied to the mating side 22 and/or the
mounting side 24.
[0020] The elastomeric columns 34 are arranged in an array having a
predetermined pattern or layout that corresponds to the array of
contacts of the electrical component 12 and the electrical
component 14. The elastomeric columns 34 extend outward along both
the mating side 22 and the mounting side 24. Specifically, the
elastomeric columns 34 include mating segments 36 that extend along
the mating side 22 and mounting segments 38 that extend along the
mounting side 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the mating segments
36 and the mounting segments 38 are frustoconically shaped, being
wider about the base and narrower at the tips. In an exemplary
embodiment, the elastomeric columns 34 are conductive elastomeric
columns, such as, but not limited to, columns fabricated from a
mixture of an elastic material and electrically conductive
particles (e.g., flakes, spheres, and/or the like). The elastomeric
columns 34 provide conductive paths between the arrays of contacts
of the electrical components 12 and 14 (FIGS. 1 and 5). The
elastomeric columns 34 may be referred to herein as "electrical
contacts".
[0021] The elastomeric columns 34 are at least partially
compressible along the connection axis 20. For example, the mating
segments 36 may at least partially compress along the connection
axis 20 when the electrical component 12 is mated with the
interconnect device 16 and/or when the interconnect device 16 is
mounted to the electrical component 14. Moreover, and for example,
the mounting segments 38 may at least partially compress along the
connection axis 20 when the interconnect device 16 is mounted to
the electrical component 14 and/or when the electrical component 12
is mated with the interconnect device 16.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the elastomeric columns 34
extend through a thickness T of the insulative carrier 32 such that
each elastomeric column 34 includes both a mating segment 36 and
the corresponding mounting segment 38. Accordingly, in the
illustrated embodiment, the mid-sections 40 of the elastomeric
columns 34 are held by, and extend within, the thickness T of the
insulative carrier 32. In other embodiments, each mounting segment
38 is a discrete component (e.g., a discrete electrical contact)
from the corresponding mating segment 36. In such embodiments,
corresponding mating and mounting segments 36 and 38, respectively,
are electrically connected together through at least one
intervening electrically conductive structure (not shown), such as,
but not limited to, an electrical via, an electrical contact, a
trace or other circuit pathway, and/or the like.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of the frame 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 26
includes four perimeter segments 42 that define boundaries of a
generally rectangular-shaped central opening 30. Any number of
perimeter segments 42 may be provided in alternative embodiments,
defining a central opening 30 having any shape. In the illustrated
embodiment, all of the perimeter segments 42 are connected defining
a one-piece, unitary frame 26. In alternative embodiments, the
frame 26 may be defined by separate and discrete frame pieces that
define one or more of the perimeter segments 42. For example, two
right angle frame pieces may cooperate to define the central
opening 30, where the individual frame pieces are separately
mounted to the electrical component 14 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Other
configurations are possible in alternative embodiments.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 26 has an open top 44
and an open bottom 46. The central opening 30 extends along the
connection axis 20 between the open top 44 and the open bottom 46.
The contact assembly 18 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) may be loaded into the
central opening 30 through the open top 44 or through the open
bottom 46. The contact assembly 18 is positioned in the central
opening 30 such that the contact assembly 18 engages the array of
contacts of the electrical component 12 (FIGS. 1 and 5) through the
open top 44 and engages the array of contacts of the electrical
component 14 through the open bottom 46.
[0025] The perimeter segments 42 includes mounting side surfaces 48
and opposite mating side surfaces 50. The mounting side surfaces 48
are configured to face, and/or engage, the electrical component 14
when the frame 26 is mounted to the electrical component 14. The
perimeter segments 42 include interior side surfaces 52.
[0026] The frame 26 includes one or more upper tabs 54 and one or
more lower tabs 56 that extend into the central opening 30.
Specifically, the upper and lower tabs 54 and 56, respectively,
extend from the interior side surfaces 52 of one or more
corresponding perimeter segments 42 into the central opening 30.
The upper and lower tabs 54 and 56, respectively, are used to hold
the contact assembly 18 within the central opening 30. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper tabs 54 are offset from the lower
tabs 56 along the lengths of the perimeter segments 42. In
alternative embodiments, one or more upper tabs 54 may be aligned
along the length of the corresponding perimeter segment 42 with a
corresponding lower tab 56 such that the corresponding tabs 54 and
56 oppose each other.
[0027] Each lower tab 56 has an upward facing ledge 58 and a
mounting side surface 60 that extends opposite the upward facing
ledge 58. Each upper tab 54 has a downward facing ledge 62 and a
mating side surface 64 that extends opposite the downward facing
ledge 62. The upper and lower tabs 54 and 56, respectively, are
spaced apart from each other along the connection axis 20. In other
words, the upper tabs 54 are spaced vertically above the lower tabs
56 such that a gap or space is created between the upward facing
ledge 58 and downward facing ledge 62. The gap or space
accommodates the thickness T (FIG. 2) of the insulative carrier 32
(FIG. 2) of the contact assembly 18, as will be described below. In
the illustrated embodiment, the mating side surfaces 64 of the
upper tabs 54 are aligned along the connection axis 20 with the
mating side surfaces 50 of the perimeter segments 42. In
alternative embodiments, the mating side surfaces 64 of the upper
tabs 54 are offset along the connection axis 20 from the mating
side surfaces 50 in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 3.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper tabs 54 and/or the
lower tabs 56 are resiliently deflectable to enable the frame 26 to
hold the contact assembly 18 with a snap-fit connection.
Specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, both the upper tabs 54
and the lower tabs 56 are resiliently deflectable in the directions
of the arcs C and D, respectively. The tabs 54 and/or 56 can be
deflected along the respective arcs C and D to enable edge segments
63 (FIG. 4) of the insulative carrier 32 to clear the tabs 54
and/or 56 and fit within the gap or space between the upward facing
ledge 58 and the downward facing ledge 62, as will be described
below. The tabs 54 and/or 56 may be resiliently deflectable along
any other arcs besides the respective arcs C and D that enable the
tabs 54 and/or 56 to connect to the insulative carrier 32 with a
snap-fit connection.
[0029] The frame 26 may includes any number of the upper tabs 54
and any number of the lower tabs 56. Moreover, each perimeter
segment 42 may include any number of the upper tabs 54 and any
number of the lower tabs 56. The upper and lower tabs 54 and 56,
respectively, may each have any size and/or shape that enables the
tabs 54 and 56 to function as described and/or illustrated
herein.
[0030] The frame 26 includes one or more compression stops 66
and/or includes one or more compression stops 68. The compression
stops 66 include stop surfaces that are configured to engage the
electrical component 12 to limit an amount of compression of the
mating segments 36 (FIGS. 2 and 5) of the elastomeric columns 34
along the connection axis 20 as the electrical component 12 is
mated with the contact assembly 18, as will be described below.
Optionally, the stop surfaces of the compression stop 66 are
aligned along the connection axis 20 with the mating side surfaces
50 of the perimeter segments 42. In some embodiments, one or more
of the perimeter segments 42 includes one or more of the
compression stops 66. Specifically, the mating side surface 50 of
one or more of the perimeter segments 42 may define the stop
surface of one or more compression stops 66. Moreover, in some
embodiments, one or more of the upper tabs 54 includes one or more
of the compression stops 66. Specifically, the mating side surface
64 of one or more of the upper tabs 54 may define the stop surface
of one or more compression stops 66. In the illustrated embodiment,
the stop surface of one or more compression stops 66 is defined by
a combination of the mating side surface 50 of a perimeter segment
42 and the mating side surface 64 of an upper tab 54. Each of the
compression stops 66 may be referred to herein as a "mating side
stop". Each of the compression stops 68 may be referred to herein
as a "mounting side stop".
[0031] The compression stops 68 include stop surfaces that are
configured to engage the electrical component 14 to limit an amount
of compression of the mating segments 36 and/or the mounting
segments 38 (FIGS. 2 and 5) of the elastomeric columns 34 along the
connection axis 20 as the electrical component 12 is mated with the
contact assembly 18 and/or as the interconnect device 16 is mounted
to the electrical component 14. In some embodiments, one or more of
the perimeter segments 42 includes one or more of the compression
stops 66. Specifically, the mounting side surface 48 of one or more
of the perimeter segments 42 may define the stop surface of one or
more compression stops 68. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or
more of the lower tabs 56 includes one or more of the compression
stops 68. Specifically, the mounting side surface 60 of one or more
of the lower tabs 56 may define the stop surface of one or more
compression stops 68. In some embodiments, the stop surface of one
or more compression stops 68 is defined by a combination of the
mounting side surface 48 of a perimeter segment 42 and the mounting
side surface 60 of a lower tab 56.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the interconnect device
16 illustrating the contact assembly 18 held by the frame 26. The
contact assembly 18 is received in the central opening 30 of the
frame 26 such that the edge segments 63 of the insulative carrier
32 are received, or captured, between the upper and lower tabs 54
and 56, respectively. The mounting side 24 of the insulative
carrier 32 faces, and/or engages, the upward facing ledges 58 of
the lower tabs 56, while the mating side 22 of the insulative
carrier faces, and/or engages, the downward facing ledges 62 of the
upper tabs 54. The upper tabs 54 extend over the edge segments 63
of the insulative carrier 32 along the mating side 22, and the
lower tabs 56 extend over the edge segments 63 along the mounting
side 24 of the insulative carrier 32.
[0033] As described above, the contact assembly 18, and more
specifically, the insulative carrier 32 is held by the frame 26
with a snap-fit connection. For example, the upper tabs 54 and/or
the lower tabs 56 have been deflected along the respective arcs C
and D to enable the edge segments 63 of the insulative carrier 32
to clear the tabs 54 and/or 56 and fit within the gap or space
between the upward facing ledge 58 and the downward facing ledge
62. The resilience of the tabs 54 and/or 56 causes the tabs 54
and/or 56 to snap back from the deflected position to the position
shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the edge segments 63 of the
insulative carrier 32 are captured between the upper tabs 54 and
the lower tabs 56 with a snap-fit connection.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the gap or space between the
ledges 58 and 62 is sized similarly to the thickness T of the
insulative carrier 32 such that the edge segments 63 of the
insulative carrier 32 are held between the upper and lower tabs 54
and 56, respectively, with a relatively tight fit. In alternative
embodiments, the gap or space between the ledges 58 and 62 has a
greater dimension than the thickness T of the insulative carrier 32
such that the edge segments 63 of the insulative carrier 32, and
thus the contact assembly 18, can float within the gap or space
along the connection axis 20. Optionally, the insulative carrier 32
can float relative to the frame 26 along one or more axes (e.g.,
the X and Y axes shown in FIG. 4) that extend approximately
perpendicular to the connection axis 20.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical
interconnect system 10 illustrating the interconnect device 16
connected between the electrical components 12 and 14. The frame 26
is mounted to a mounting surface 70 of the electrical component 14
above an array of component contacts 72 of the electrical component
14. The frame 26 is configured to be mounted to the electrical
component 14 using any structure, means, and/or the like, such as,
but not limited to, using latches, fasteners, threaded fasteners,
and/or the like. The stop surfaces of the compression stops 68
engage the electrical component 14 to limit the amount of
compression of the mounting segments 38 of the elastomeric columns
34 along the connection axis 20.
[0036] The contact assembly 18 is connected to the frame 26 before
or after the frame 26 is mounted to the electrical component 14.
For example, the contact assembly 18 may be loaded into the central
opening 30 of the frame 26 through the open top 44 after the frame
26 is mounted to the electrical component 14. Alternatively, prior
to mounting the frame 26 to the electrical component 14, the
contact assembly 18 may be connected to the frame 26 and the
interconnect device 16 can be mounted to the electrical component
14 as a unit.
[0037] When mated, the electrical component 12 is loaded onto the
mating side 22 of the contact assembly 18. A mating interface 74 of
the electrical component 12 engages the contact assembly 18. The
electrical component 12 includes an array of component contacts 76
at the mating interface 74. The component contacts 76 engage
corresponding mating segments 36 of the elastomeric columns 34.
[0038] The electrical component 12 is loaded onto the mating side
22 of the contact assembly 18 until the electrical component 12
engages the stop surfaces of the compression stops 66. The
compression stops 66 limit the amount of compression of the
elastomeric columns 34. For example, the compression stops 66 limit
the amount of compression of the mating segments 36 along the
connection axis 20. The compression stops 66 and/or 68 facilitate
preventing damage to the elastomeric columns 34 from
over-compression of the elastomeric columns 34, which may
facilitate protecting the elastomeric columns from mechanically
and/or electrically failing by being over-stressed. Because the
compression stops 66 and/or 68 provide mechanical stops for
interfacing with the electrical components connected by the
interconnect device 16, the contact assembly 18 can be used without
one or more coverlays over the insulative carrier 32. As such, the
contact assembly 18 may be less complex and/or less costly to
manufacture than a contact assembly 18 that includes a coverlay.
For example, the material cost of the contact assembly 18 may be
reduced, as well as assembly cost of the contact assembly 18.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the stop surface of each of
the compression stops 66 is defined by a combination of the mating
side surfaces 50 of the perimeter segments 42 and the mating side
surfaces 64 of the upper tabs 54. Specifically, as is shown in FIG.
5, a mating side 78 of the electrical component 12 is engaged with
the mating side surfaces 50 and 64. Accordingly, the compression
stops 66 are defined by both the perimeter segments 42 and the
upper tabs 54 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an
electrical interconnect system 110 wherein only upper tabs 154 of a
frame 126 of an interconnect device 116 define compression stops
166. In other words, perimeter segments 142 of the frame 126 do not
include compression stops 166 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
6. Rather, the mating side 178 of an electrical component 112 is
engaged with mating side surfaces 164 of the upper tabs 154 but is
not engaged with mating side surfaces 150 of the perimeter segments
142. Engagement between the mating side 178 of the electrical
component 112 and the mating side surfaces 164 of the upper tabs
154 limits the amount of compression of mating segments 136 of
elastomeric columns 134 of the interconnect device 116 along a
connection axis 120. Each of the compression stops 166 may be
referred to herein as a "mating side stop". The electrical
component 112 may be referred to herein as a "first" and/or a
"second" electrical component.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of an
electrical interconnect system 210 wherein compression stops 266 of
an interconnect device 216 engage a flange 280 of an electrical
component 212. The interconnect device 216 includes a frame 226
having perimeter segments 242 that include mating side surfaces 250
that provide the compression stops 266. Specifically, the mating
side surfaces 250 provide stop surfaces of the compression stops
266. A mating side 278 of the flange 280 of the electrical
component 212 is engaged with the mating side surfaces 250 of the
perimeter segments 242. Engagement between the flange 280 and the
mating side surfaces 250 of the perimeter segments 242 limits the
amount of compression of mating segments 236 of elastomeric columns
234 of the interconnect device 216 along a connection axis 220.
Each of the compression stops 266 may be referred to herein as a
"mating side stop". The electrical component 212 may be referred to
herein as a "first" and/or a "second" electrical component.
[0042] The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may
provide an interconnect device that is less costly and/or
complex.
[0043] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions,
types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the
number and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112,
sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly
use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void
of further structure.
* * * * *